In times of trial

I just want to encourage all of you to hold on to God , continue seeking Him and serving Him.

I didnt realise that in one of my last posts in 2010, my prayer was for God to prune me. And He has literally taken me at my word.

Suffice to say that, speaking from experience, when one is going through any fiery trial, in the midst of the burning and consuming of all that is fleshly, one must surround oneself with people of faith.

A church leader asks me , looking back, what it is that has kept me going. So I thought of bloging it.

1) Don't share your problems with just anyone, lest some behave like Job's friends.

2) Choose a few confidants you can trust. And most important, they must be prayerful people. Why share your problem with somebody who is not going to pray with you and for you?

3)Continue to seek and serve god. The problem/ trial could be the work of the enemy. Continue to serve and praise God,instead of sitting down and wallow in your own self-pity pparty.

4) It is important that YOU yourself seek God. God will guide you very clearly through, circumstances, or through your private devotion. This has happened to me so many times. God lets me peek through the cloud once in a while to know that I am being guided so closely be Him.

5) God will give you amazing peace and joy in the midst of your trial.This will be a testimony to all , especially to unbelievers. They could be going through the same trial but they see the difference in you.

6) Lastly, have faith in God. Sounds simple enough, until you see all the natural circumstances going in a negative direction.Then what do you do? Immerse yourself in God's word.

7) Seek only to glorify God in your situation.And be prepared to crucify your flesh daily.

Even as I write this, I can testify that God's answer to our prayer always has His perfect timing.Praise God.

ah mah

Mum in law has passed on( at 83)and I believe a miracle of salvation has taken place.

Wont share here . Suffice to say that I receive confirmation in my spirit.

She was warded for one month at the hospital, 10 days at ICU and the rest in open ward. She had a stomach operation ( due to perforated ulcer), then infection which led to water in lung (pneumonia) and lastly, succumbed to brain stroke.


Ah Mah,

we will miss your sweet smile,

your elegant presence,

your caring touch,

your culinary delights


which unite friends and family alike.


Acts 2 v 21 " And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Looks

One day, my teenage daughter said " My friends commented that I look more like you now compared to 2 years ago."

She is referring to her face , now more fleshy and with rosy cheeks. I like the new her as she is a more cheerful girl now.

Anyway, her remark sets me thinking. Am I growing to be more like Jesus ? What is hindering me from NOT growing to be like Jesus?

If there is anything hindering my spiritual growth, am I doing anything about it? The crux is, do I really want to be like Jesus?

Or do I only seek the blessings and not the blesser?

2 Corinthians 3 v 18

" And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."


"Unveiled faces".......speaks to me of coming into God's presence transparently and honestly , and allowing God to deal with us in areas where

where we have fallen short. And doing something about it. Not just seeking forgiveness but a true repentance.Then and only then, God will do His wonderful( may be painful smetimes) work in us and through us,pruning away our SELFISH desires .


"Father God, open our hearts and reveal to us in areas where we have fallen short and grant us the desire to do something about it.We give you permission to prune us . Help us to reflect You in our everyday life. Strip us of any idols in our daily activities . We thank You for the Holy Spirit who is always intereceding for us, praying this is Jesus name , amen"

locked out

I was told this incident by my friend who related how her maid , when asked

to lock the house main gate using a long chain, did so but...guess where she ended up

standing when the gate was locked. The maid was standing outside on the road ,outside

the house gate. One can guess what actually happened.

Upon reflection, I have to remind myself to be careful when I am engaging in

spiritual warfare prayer , either for myself or others.

1) Make sure that I am living right before I engage in spiritual warfare. Have

you heard of the demon who asked the one binding..." who are you" instead of

the other way around. One must have the spiritual authority to engage in spiritual

warfare.

2) Remembering Luke 11 v 24 to 26, whereby if one does not take the necessary

action, the spirit driven out will come back, bringing with it 7 other spirits.



But..praise be to God for the authority He has given us , in the name of Jesus.

paving the way

Two incidents happened to me last week. Anyway, say what you want, I have learnt that there is no coincidences in life and for 2

of the same nature to occur, I am very sure that God is telling me something.

The first incident happened at the giant supermarket. I was an early bird and wanted to use my credit at the checkout counter. The cashier

took a long time to get it processed. I told her not to worry and to take her time. Finally she got it done and said to me " the next customer who pays by

credit card need not wait so long ." Why? Probably the machine just needs a warming up ?

The second incident took place at a flea market. I chose a few books at the book stall and when I wanted to pay, I discovered that I had

to pay more compared to the other occasions when I purchase the books. The stall owner tried to explain by saying they were new books. On
closer inspection, it was not true. I told her so. Then she gave me the real reason.At that late morning hour, I was the only customer , making me

the first customer for the day for her. So I asked her, " does this mean that being the first customer, I am to be penalised by paying more?"


Mulling over the 2 incidents made me come to this reflection. In the first instance, being the first customer, am i willing to be inconvenienced

so that others who come after me will be convenienced? So am I willing to be inconvenienced in my daily routine to step out to help

someone in need? Am I willing to share my trial experience and encourage another to look unto Jesus?

In the second instance, I have to pay a higher price for the books.This reminds me of the price Jesus pays on the cross so that I can have

abundant and eternal life. Also, a reminder,at what cost ( time and money included here) am I willing to sacrifice to meet the need of another?


Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

facebook

Happy new year to everyone.

Just joined facebook and hope can maintain it. Fact that daughter in on facebook

stirs me to join to keep up with her.

Hopefully, it will help me to connect with friends more . I doubt I will play the
games . I dont want it to distract me too much from how I am spending my free time

these days, reading and listening to lots of messages/sermons.

snoozing

The new school term is starting tomorrow...back to the grind for me and

being a chauffeur for my daughter , ferrying her to her various after-school

activities.

One of her classes is situated inside a gated community. Gated meaning that there

is a guard who checks cars going in and out of the area. I am thinking of dropping

her and then snoozing inside my car ...as the place is a bit far for me to drive

home and then back again to fetch her.

Have you ever snoozed inside your car while waiting for someone? Most times, I

would drive somewhere to have tea by myself while reading one of my novels.

What would you do?

2010

wishing one and all a blessed 2010.

declaring psalms 90v 17 and psalms 115 v 14 for all and myself in the year ahead.


psalms 90 v 17.. "may the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us ;

establish the work of our hands for us --

yes, establish the work of our hands.'


psalms 115 v 14 " May the Lord make you increase (fill in yourself what you want

the increase in... health, relationships, influence, etc)

both you and your children"



Glory to God in the highest!